The best sun creams for the ultimate skin protection

Finding the best sun cream, sunscreen or sun tan lotion (whatever you call it) is essential. Burning ain’t cool, kids. Neither are weird tan lines. You have to find the right one to make sure you actually use it.

The important thing when picking out a good sun cream is to not only look at the SPF, but also the PA rating. Just to clarify, SPF is the stuff that stops you burning red raw by protecting your skin from UVB. It either reflects the sunlight (physical sunscreen) or absorbs the UV rays (chemical sunscreen). PA protects against UVA, which is the stuff that causes pigmentation, like dark spots.

In fact, protecting yourself from the sun is so bloody important that you should actually be wearing one of the best SPF moisturisers every single day. Even in winter.

So whether you like an oil, a cream or a spray, we’ve carefully selected the best sun creams below.

The best sun cream for face

What Paula Begoun doesn’t know about skin isn’t worth knowing. So we trust her skincare line implicitly. This smooth, super absorbent day moisturiser can be used poolside, on a hot city break or at home everyday under make-up. Why not check out our holiday beauty products round up next?

The best sun cream for tanning

If your aim of the game is to become a bronzed goddess, then this will be your new best friend. The original tanning brand has nailed it once more by creating a clever sun tan lotion that protects, but also intensifies your tan at the same time by hydrating your skin to stop future peeling and help your tan last for longer. Genius no?

The best natural sun cream

Green People products are completely natural and chemical free. They’re also vegan and organic. What more could you want really? This Scent Free sun tan lotion is perfect if you suffer from prickly heat on holiday, because it allows skin to breathe. Prickly heat is when your sweat gets blocked in the epidermis.

The best sun cream for lips

Don’t forget your lips. The skin on your lips is so much thinner than the rest of your body. Imagine the pain of trying to drink a cup of coffee with burnt lips or even trying to kiss with burnt lips. Exactly. Don’t make the mistake; always carry an lip balm with a high SPF, like this Blistex one.

If that wasn’t enough, scroll down for more of our best sun cream edit…

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La Roche Posay Anthelios Pocket SPF 50+, £10, Lookfantastic

There are literally no excuses for not applying sun cream now. This teeny tiny bottle of La Roche Posay's well-loved sun cream is a little smaller than a bank card. You can pop it in your wallet, it a clutch bag or as the name suggests, your pocket.

Riemann P20 Continuous Spray SPF 20, £19.59, Amazon

P20 has long been a cult beauty favourite in the world of sun cream. Technically not a cream, we know, but their new kid on the (sun) block deserves to be shouted about. Providing water-resistant protection for up to 10 hours, this easily applied formula will make sure you're protected from those ageing UVA and UVB rays.

Ultrasun Sun Protection Glimmer SPF 50+, £24, QVC

Ultrasun is a super reliable sun care brand that you just can’t go wrong with. They live and breathe sun protection. This new SPF 50+ Glimmer is so dreamy, because it gives skin a subtle bronzed gleam as you apply. Great if you’re on the pale side.

For those who don't have sensitive skin, you lucky things. The sun is one of those things that can spark an irritating reaction. Luckily, there are brands like Lancaster who develop special formulas who take this into consideration. This one does just that with its clever sensiboost complex. No more hiding in the shade.

Soltan Clear and Cool Head and Scalp Spray, £5, Boots

A lot of people are strict when it comes to applying sun cream on their face and body, forgetting that your uncovered scalp is just as vulnerable to the affects of the sun. Spritz, spritz and re-spritz your head with this from Soltan and you'll avoid a sunburnt scalp.

Clarins Sun Care Oil Free Lotion SPF 15, £19, Amazon

Particularly well-suited for outdoor sport lovers, Clarins Sun Care spray is an ultra-fine mist, which absorbs into skin instantly. The oil-free formula protects skin without stickiness, making it ideal for the more active.

Hawaiian Tropic Duo Defence Sun Lotion SPF 30, £14, Boots

Nothing smells more like summer than a bottle of Hawaiian Tropic. Yes, it's what you used to use when you were a teenager and all you were concerned about was a summer crush, but there's something quite magical about going down memory lane.

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